Picture a powerhouse hitter, a versatile player and an essential component of Virginia's softball team because of her talented skills and a positive attitude on and off the field. For the Cavaliers, junior third baseman Ruby Rojas is indeed a precious jewel.
"Ruby has been really key for our team," Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel said. "Especially in hitting recently."
Rojas' abilities helped the Cavaliers rise to become the fourth-ranked team in the ACC with an overall record of 37-14.
Although her official United States hometown is Santa Ana, Calif., Rojas originally hails from Carabobo, Venezuela. In both Venezuela and the United States, she has accumulated an impressive list of honors and distinctions. She played on the Venezuelan national team and junior national team, as well as competing in the Venezuelan Junior Olympic Festival. She was an All-League performer several times for California's Mater Dei High School, and both in 1996 and 1998 led the school to Division I CIF State Championships. She also played in the U-18 Gold ASA Nationals in 1998 and 1999.
Rojas' college career sports the same types of accolades. As a freshman, she was named ACC rookie of the year, selected as a member of the ACC All-Tournament team, the VaSID All-American team and the Capital Classic All-American team. Last year, as a sophomore, she earned All-ACC and All-Southwest Region honors as well as a place on the ECAC All-Star team and All-Tournament teams in the Triangle Classic and Winthrop Invitational. She led the ACC in batting average at .401, the third-highest single-season average in Virginia history. She also hit eight home runs, the second-highest total in Virginia history.
This year, as a second-year starter, her usual position behind third base changed to cover first base as a result of teammate Hannah Owings' recent injury. The faith Sprangel and her teammates have in Rojas leads them to feel confident in her abilities to adapt and excel in her new position.
Rojas' performance on the field has done nothing but reinforce and strengthen her credibility among her teammates.
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Despite her outstanding achievements, she remains modest and strives to stay focused on improving both her offensive and defensive game. She entered the season with and the sole intention to "make the most of it."
In early March, Rojas was seemingly frustrated with her performance in comparison to her incredible sophomore year, but she resolved to improve upon her skills and intensify her level of play.
"I think I've just come off from a rough start," she said. "I'm trying to get back into my routine. I had a good season last year and I want to have a similar season this year as well."
After the Who's Hoo Tournament in March against Drexel, Wright State and Penn State, however, Rojas is optimistic and self-assured about her performance for the remainder of the season.
"I'm feeling a lot more confident and comfortable with my playing again," she said. "Even out of position. I've been feeling good in the outfield. And on the mound, I've been seeing the ball better. I don't like to say I was in a slump before but I do say this is a brand new season."
Neither Rojas nor her team has any grounds to contest her convictions. She is aggressive defensively with her quick reactions and willingness to adapt to new positions. Her most significant contributions, however, are at the plate, where her outstanding batting skills distinguish her among the Cavaliers and within the ACC.
The remainder of the 2002 season, as well as Rojas' final two years at Virginia, promise to be nothing short of exceptional, both on and off the playing field.
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